Australia Grants Citizenship to Two Iranian Women's Soccer Players Who Sought Asylum

Two members of the Iranian women's national soccer team who claimed asylum in Australia in March have been granted Australian citizenship.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh said in a statement Thursday that Immigration Minister Tony Burke swore them in the previous day at a citizenship ceremony in Brisbane, the city where they now live. Friends and supporters from the local Iranian community attended.

"Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen. Australia has given me the opportunity to build my life and my future, and I feel, more than ever, that I belong here," Ramezanisadeh said in the statement. She added that her Iranian roots and memories would always be part of her.

Pasandideh called Wednesday "one of the happiest days of my life."

"I'm incredibly proud and grateful to officially become an Australian citizen. After everything we've been through and all the challenges we faced, this moment means more than words can express," she said.

When The Associated Press asked Burke's office why the women's citizenship was fast-tracked, his department said it could not comment on individual cases for privacy reasons. The Refugee Council of Australia, a nonprofit umbrella organization representing asylum-seekers, said refugees usually must live in Australia on a valid visa for four years before they can apply for citizenship. Their citizenship could potentially have been fast-tracked under Australian law to make them eligible to play for Australia.

The two players joined Brisbane Roar, which competes in the A-League Women, Australia's top domestic competition, after they were granted asylum. Iran withdrew from the Women's Asia Cup that Australia hosted.

They were among seven Iranian women who initially accepted asylum. Five changed their minds within days and returned to the team, for reasons that were not disclosed.

The team had arrived in Australia before the United States and Israel attacked Iran in February. Concerns about the players' welfare at home were raised when they decided against singing the Iranian national anthem before their first match of the tournament. Protesters demanding asylum for the team widely cited Iranian sports commentator Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, who called the women "wartime traitors" in a television broadcast.

President Donald Trump used social media to call for the team to be granted asylum and telephoned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the issue.